When I'm towing a litlle load, like a boat or fourwheeler, OD is fine. I have plenty of power to tow them items with the OD gear ratio and not over stress the tranny.... but when I'm pulling a really large load, like my old Lightning, 12 big *** light poles, etc, I leave it in 3rd to run in a higher drive ratio and keeps my rpms up a little so I'm in my power band and not just lugging around and burning the crap out of my clutches, over heating the torque converter, etc... to each is own though but I've never lost a tranny due to towing. Trans temp gauge is an angel sent from heaven if your gonna tow heavy items. I also run dual coolers and bypass the radiator reservoir. Arkansas weather is usually very mild and humid